STRATEGIES FOR COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELLING CURRICULUM: FRAMEWORK FOR SCHOOL GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING PROGRAMME

Abstract

This paper discussed on the strategies to be followed in ensuring comprehensive counselling curriculum thereby presenting a framework for school guidance and counselling programme that can be used in a school setting. In Nigerian context, the 
National Policy on Education recognises the place of guidance and counselling programme in schools and the programme can be used as catalyst towards ensuring the goals of education. The discussion posit that the central aim of school guidance and counselling programme is to provide series of interventions to students.  It is evidenced that counselling programme focused on academic, career, and personal development of the students. The curriculum aims to address the holistic needs of students, equipping them with essential life skills, career awareness, and emotional intelligence. Preventive, developmental, intervention, and remedial approaches 
were recommended through incorporating guidance lessons, workshops, and individual counselling sessions. Full implementation of this curriculum can improve students' academic performance, career readiness, and emotional well-being, ultimately contributing to a more informed, skilled, and resilient as well as effective workforce production in Nigeria. The paper concluded that developing a structured school counselling curriculum within the Nigerian education system is essential for fostering students' academic success, career readiness, and emotional well-being leading to individual and national development. Suggestion toward prioritising 
production and training of school counsellors was proffered for the government as well as the policy makers to take in to consideration. Colleges and Universities need to intensify mode of counselling training to cater for the need of the manpower.